Zimbabwe midfielder Munetsi upset over AFCON snub
Zimbabwe midfielder Marshall Munetsi has bemoaned his omission from coach Marian Marinica's squad for the Africa Cup of Nations, saying too hasty a decision was made on his fitness.
Munetsi has captained the side before and been a stalwart over the past few years but was left out of the squad named after a calf injury playing for Wolverhampton Wanderers against Nottingham Forest in the Premier League this month.
“I had an injury recently but my club, Wolves, communicated with the association that I was recovering well and even offered medical support to ensure that I could participate at the AFCON,” Munetsi, 29, wrote on his social media on Friday.
“Unfortunately, I received no follow-up communication, and decisions were made without clarity; speculation which wasn't the case.
“While I'm hurt, my unwavering support for the national team remains strong. I respect the coach’s decisions and stand behind the boys wholeheartedly.
"I will always be ready to defend the nation I love. Warriors has always been a dream, and wearing our colours is the greatest honour of my career. AFCON would have even been more significant,” he added.
Zimbabwe is playing at AFCON for the fourth time in the past five editions but for the previous finals, which were held in Ivory Coast, it was banned by FIFA because of government interference in the local football association's affairs.
Munetsi was among the few players who appealed to administrators to end their squabbles so Zimbabwe could field a team in AFCON and FIFA World Cup qualifiers.
Zimbabwe will compete in Group B at this month’s tournament in Morocco with Egypt, Angola and close neighbour South Africa.
